FULL CEREMONY: José Bautista joins our Level of Excellence!

[@Red.Butterfly]

One of the best ceremonies I've seen in all of sports. Fitting for a legend 💙

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

And as I've said in a separate comment, credit Hazel Mae for a large part in that. She set and kept a perfect tone throughout, and played a big part in writing and organising the presentation.

[@SparklingHarmony]

Congrats Jose, thanks for all the great memories! Seeing his name beside Halladay's makes me emotional.

[@Mikebeerman]

Me too

[@mallymcally]

@@Mikebeerman man had hell of a career. As a cubs fan I was watchin all the 2015 postseason and after the hr was worried if they met the jays that year. Wish he got a ring but that moment is still legendary for the city.

[@noamc961]

It made me cry watching the old crew come back to honour José. So well deserved.

[@melaniedevlin1643]

Me too. See smoaky and Russell Martin. Beautiful ceremony and family. I hope Edwin is next

[@melaniedevlin1643]

If they had the homerun jersey like they did with Hernandez, I could only imagine that Jose would have his own. They would need to make one for the rest of the team

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Hazel Mae is a blessing to the organisation and city. She gets occasional hate from racist and misogynist incel types on social media, but she has perfect pitch: tone, style, grace, and word choice, not to mention that her baseball knowledge is excellent and down through the years you never hear her gaff, unlike so many announcers and interviewers, male or female.

[@squidca2455]

truly one of the best in the business

[@kevwwong]

Kevin Barker is a lucky guy.

[@bobabooey4537]

Shes great because she never makes it about herself... like many other sports people.

[@sergeynazaro1768]

@@bobabooey4537facts

[@krismua1209]

She did such a great job! 👏👏👏

[@bradbeard1930]

He changed baseball in Toronto and Canada forever. Just look at his first 2 years to barely a crowd to a packed house. He did that. And dam he looks good in retirement. I will never forget watching everyone of his at bats

[@michaelmartins8]

Watching the José tribute and highlights on the big screen from the 500 section made me tear up a bit. He was always my favourite player growing up. Thank you for everything José!

[@Gav_Rangersfan]

I first grew up watching José Bautista dominate for the Toronto Blue Jays, when I went to Rogers Centre for the first time ever vs the Baltimore Orioles in 2015, Bautista started off hot with a no doubt home run immediately to give us the lead and brought us to a 5-1 win, now I’m 15 years old and took a childhood dream number on my high school baseball team this year, number 19. José is the main reason why I love baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays with so much passion, I’m incredibly happy to see my idol be an official member of the Level Of Excellence! I’ll remember you for the rest of my life José, I thank you for all the great memories you gave this organization, and when I see your name in Rogers Centre with the legends, I’ll cry tears of joy that I was able to watch and use you as a perfect role model as a baseball player. Thank you and congratulations.

[@ramonarialdipena1505]

Gracias los fanáticos, gracias al equipo de blue Jay muchas graciss por darle esa ceremonia muy linda a nuestro jose Bautista me siento muy orgulloso 🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴

[@thebrewguy5276]

Congrats Jose that was an amazing send off. All the best to you your family!!! Thank you for the memories

[@FilmNoir88]

Absolute legend. Will never forget all the amazing moments Joey Bats gave this city as a member of the Blue Jays 💙

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Another great moment, which I regret wasn't shown, is when an Orioles pitcher threw at Bautista, it seemed deliberately, and he came right back and smashed the ball out of the park. Bautista was one of the few hitters who could do that: excel at the plate when angry.

[@alsetwheats]

Thanks for posting this TBJs. I had to work and I missed this. Much appreciated! Great to see the love Gibbons still gets from the fans.

[@tamkaivo5]

Time changes perspective. Fans wanted him fired near the end.

[@psell8628]

Love that everyone booed Edward Rogers!

[@soundwave14]

Be that as it may, his father was a living legend! He treated his employees very well. He was an innovator and visionary. His leadership is missed by a lot.

[@sandraconnors3669]

Congratulations to Hazel and the Jays organization for a terrific Ceremony. Well done!

[@duffyy1]

Congratulations Jose. A well earned honour and right next to Doc. Years from now people will look at his name and will remember what he did for this team. Congratulations Jose on an amazing career.

[@jordansmildelarosa9404]

Gracias 🙏 por todo los buenos momentos que dejaste Jose Bautista 🇩🇴 RD y el mundo te aman

[@MNSTgrowth]

Amazing moment. Congratulations Jose!! 🎉

[@linapuerta6858]

Gracias José por llevarnos tan alto ❤ Felicitaciones por el merecido reconocimiento 🎉

[@Dandrinetwork]

🎊🎊🎉🎉felicidades Jose! 🎉🎉🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴 nos llenas de orgullo!!

[@jenniferbelmonte6093]

I was there to watch it live and now I am watching it on KZbin and it brought tears to my eyes both times. Thats how much I liked this player, this game, those years in Toronto sports history.

[@MrAnselm77]

This whole thing made me cry 😭 🔥🫡🇨🇦 GO JAYS GO!!!!👊🏿

[@michaelcarroca9181]

Brought tears to my eyes, Congrats Jose God Bless

[@Mason-xv1ul]

Jose changed baseball in Canada forever! This guy is a blue jay legend!

[@ericwatson3]

There was a time not that long ago you were a “nerd” for being a Jays/baseball fan. Thank you for making baseball cool again.

[@olfranportorreal2862]

Los Dominicanos damos gracias a la organización de Toronto Blue Jays por valorar el esfuerzo realizado en Grandes Ligas de nuestro José Bautista el cuál ellos lo firmaron por un día para darle glamour su retirada del béisbol en ese equipo que lo amparó por varios años. Me siento orgulloso de ser Dominicano

[@99browndog99]

Since the days of George Bell, Dominican baseball has been a major contributing factor to our greatness

[@ronieldiaz2810]

Congratulations 💙💙 The way a true LEGEND retires. Bow to the Blue Jays organization for making sure Jose retires through the top.

[@leslenehart8997]

Thank you Jose! It was a pleasure to have you with us. You will always be welcomed in Toronto!🥰

[@gregcsefko]

That was great. Wore my Bautista “bat flip” T & Jays jersey all day. What a fun time to be a fan. Thanks for the memories Jose!

[@WirelessSquare328]

José! José José José! , José, José!!! Bless you Joey Bats, and thank you for your service good buddy.

[@Sunny31310]

Can't lie I was holding back tears watching this. I feel that Henke and Jimmy Key should have already been up there but I hope Edwins next.

[@JasonSmith-mk3xw]

Totally agree with Edwin being next... but they wouldn't be able to fit anyone else's name afterwards.

[@bobabooey4537]

To Robbie Alomar.... we have not forgotten you. Great to see Cito.... back 2 back. Jose... thanks for the efforts and big bat. This is deserved. Congrats.

[@jeffreycairns767]

I was hoping to see Robbie.

[@tas22222]

see how much we adore you Hazel

[@christopherringrose9046]

Congrats Josè. Mr. Joey Bats. I will never forget the amazing memories that you created during your time in Toronto as a Blue Jay. The 54 home runs, the bat flip, the 2015 and 2016 playoff runs. You're an absolute legend and it's absolutely awesome seeing your name on the sky dome wall of excellence among the other Blue Jay greats. Congrats Josè🎉🍾

[@nyk3334]

Amazing career. Total legend. From a Rangers fan.

[@solanoalcantara6153]

Excelente carrera 🎉🎉 🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴

[@OneJoshFan]

Thank you for putting this ceremony up on KZbin so I can watch it again and again. It really was a nice ceremony for a really cool guy and a great athlete. I am so happy that Jose’s name will go up on the level of excellence. I always thought that he deserved to be there and now he is. It was really nice to see some of the alumni there to honour Jose. Congratulations Jose and please come back and see us sometimes. You will always be part of Toronto part of Canada as well as part of the Blue Jays. Well done!

[@felizaponte2413]

Wao mi respeto para José Bautista un orgullo Dominicano. Y mi respeto a la organización por ese galardón muy merecido una ceremonia hermosa.

[@lornaavender8799]

I agree was a wonderful ceremony to a terrific man. I cried when they mentioned Roy Halliday.

[@roachy69]

Congratulations Jose, it was a pleasure watching and having you as a Toronto Blue Jay. It was a personal privilege of serving you and your wonderful family when I worked at the residence hotel downtown where you lived as a Jay. You are a genuine great guy!

[@StreetLugeNetwork]

I was in the building, and for many of the introductions, it was so loud you couldn't hear the announcement... just incredible! Especially Gibbons and Gaston! I couldn't hear a thing

[@ChannelSteph]

Bautista was a beast on the field. I will always fondly remember his time with the Jays. Congrats to him and to the Jays for putting together a great ceremony.

[@good_to_be_gold8]

This is why you love the game! For these moments you witness as a fan. And for Jose Bautista to deliver in the clutch the memories we'll always have in our hearts

[@roberthuot7887]

This was so incredibly awesome. Toronto is a great city with great people. Definitely had tears in my eyes in this video. As a red sox fella I wished Dewey Evans could of had a celebration like this one. Congratulations Jose, you're a Blue Jays icon.

[@alejandrovelazquez970]

Thank you Jose im a Cardinals fan but you was one of my favorite players you made baseball worth watching!! Good luck in the new chapter

[@hersonmontesino8650]

Muy bien merecido ese homenaje...José Bautista felicitaciones , gracias por darnos grandes buenos momentos a todos los fanáticos del baseball...un gran abrazo desde Santiago de los caballeros 🇩🇴

[@SillyBlueJays]

wow what a celebration! surely the Jays ended up wining to make it a perfect day for the fans, players, Bautista, and the guests!

[@michaelnguyen13]

Nope of course the jays would end up losing! Not surprised

[@wizspeaks2516]

In his prime he was the hardest out in baseball, boy, could they use that bat in their lineup now. Such a clutch hitter.

[@jeanneleongmitchell1375]

Congrats Jose!! you did Canada proud!! The Blue Jays organisation is so classy & went all the way!!

[@evanconnolly8717]

Love you Jose!!

[@lymn2002]

he came to Toronto without knowing his future or will he have a career change soon. Thank you for working hard and to be established and making memories!

[@brendenlovell6448]

Watching this again a year later and this makes me so happy to reminisce of the great time it was to be a Jays fan when Joey Bats was in his prime. Those awesome postseason runs, and of course the unforgettable bat flip. Such a shame that our team now is nothing compared to when you were leading the charge. Will always remember your time here and will always remember the great times I had as a young man watching you and trying to emulate your swing and be the type of player you always were. Thank you Jose.

[@manuelferreras9198]

Un nudo en la garganta mientras ves esta ceremonia, espectacular. Honor a quien hobor merece, todos los dominicanos nos sentimos ORGULLOSO por José Bautista, su trayectoria y legado en el beisbol Una leyenda. Bendiciones. Manuel Ferreras

[@kaptinkuntry3092]

Thank you Jose!! You brought us so much joy and excitement during your time as a Bluejay. Together with Edwin "Edwing" Encarnacion, your bats sent the opposition pitcher's into scramble mode trying to keep the ball in the park. Congrats, any good luck in your next career. Thank you again!!!

[@joesvillage]

Congratulations Jose Thank you for giving me your jersey. You will always be a blue Jay forever. You helped me through my cancer battle in 2017. Thank you for everything. Go Blue Jays! Win the World Series!

[@marcuslevis]

Seeing this ceremony, means the Bautista era is over in TOR, but never forgotten, Joey Bats and Doc up on the level of excellence makes me feel like my childhood/teen/young adult years of 2005-2018 are really acknowledged. Well deserved to my favourite Jay to watch!

[@alfredorodriguez2391]

Dear blue Jays. I s3nd you big hugs from Cusco Peru

[@brandong2972]

Forever a Jay!!!!!!!

[@oilersbluejayscanada]

We miss you, José🥲🥲

[@mfrchamps6417]

Well, that was a teary one. Congratulations Jose, you will forever be mine and many Toronto Blue fans favorite player. Wishing you all the best💙🙏🏼⚾️

[@ArchieJohansen-k5p]

Congrats Jose, well deserved. Thanks for all the great memories.

[@johnthorpe1349]

Well Deserved and of course all first class from Toronto ❤ MIGWECH from Toronto ❤

[@luismanueltejada9472]

Love José Bautista RD 🇩🇴 está orgulloso de tí ❤

[@gmc6vette]

Thank you Toronto Blue Jays for giving Jose a home ballpark. Thank you Jose Bautista for being a true gentleman and superb sportsman. You represented Toronto and Canada admirably.

[@jay2xdam]

Thank you Jose for all the memories. ❤💪⚾

[@dannysantiago4612]

Congratulations jose for your amazing career as blue jays you are beast homer hiter in blue 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙19💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@tylermarks15]

He should have won World Series in 2016 but this is much deserved for him, the team deserved to go further

[@jrdonaldson2053]

Mainly 2015 with that Fan Interference in kc.

[@Flexb123]

@@jrdonaldson2053 Ya they were a better team in 2015 offense wise. They just mashed. 16 was more all or nothing, but their pitching kept them in it. Ya I still remember that ball drop between goins and Jose and flood gates open. That may have just been the difference in that series.

[@jrdonaldson2053]

@@Flexb123 And the Bautista official interference not overturned. No game 7 in Toronto

[@Chukmeister]

No matter how many times I watch this I cry every single time

[@liquidquack]

bravo Rogers..... ya didnt cut corners for this one, and rightfully so

[@mej7825]

Se retira una leyenda.

[@ernestogonzalez7111]

To my friend Michael Mr B rip. We enjoyed watching Josè thanks.

[@ejnave5759]

will forever be grateful that i was here to watch this live

[@taylormessier9747]

As a Red Sox fan, have always loved Joey Bats! One of my personal favorite players growing up, and of course, had some great HR's!

[@JoseGarcia-sh6do]

Damn, this was a well put together ceremony.

[@quisuis-je]

Congratulations José! 🇩🇴 🇨🇦🫶🏼

[@AbsenteeDebate]

He did THE bat flip. What a legend.

[@yusmermiranda5372]

Congrats José Bautista 💪💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍

[@AleTat10]

Luv the fact it all culminated in2 him finishin’ off his way on his terms! The terms of a hero’s touch! 👌🏼💪🏼🦾🫡🫶🏼👏🏼🙌🏼😲😯😊🔥

[@bradleyhaines4401]

Congratulations José and you are a great mentor to everyone in the City of Toronto. Enjoy your retirement with your wife and daughters

[@breeziereaper8356]

Forever my favourite player. Miss this guy and will always be canadas baseball legend

[@sampilcher7196]

I love seeing him trying to hold it together through the special messages right until his wife and kids come up, then it’s just game over. Love you Joey, no one more deserving ❤️

[@juanreciohijodedios4196]

Muchas felicidades para José un orgullo dominicano

[@jujugreg5580]

Congratulations José👏🏾👏🏾💙

[@harryeames6200]

Congratulations to the greatest player i've ever seen, Jose Bautista..

[@xdoom2allx714]

Was at work while the game was on happy to see it fully uploaded

[@illmakeyouuncomfortable7745]

It's sad that you left us. But, I still love you Bud. ❤ Thanks there Eh!

[@derekcanmexit]

Amazing tribute for a great franchise player! Well done Blue Jays 🙌🏻💙

[@JMP0827]

Waaoooo. Excelente felicidades para ti Jose te lo mereces.

[@karmax5615]

When Jose Got His Standing Ovation all those memories hit me all at once thanks for the memories I’ll never forget congrats Jose

[@LeonorAlexander]

Thank-you Jose for playing for the Blue Jays!

[@blakethetank]

As a Rangers fan, this was a great tribute. Much respect to Jose!

[@The40yearoldVegan]

Chills, love you José!

[@AlgenisAcosta]

🎉 Well deserve

[@stevenhornostaj5676]

He's the Vince Carter of Toronto (Canada) baseball ❤❤❤

[@dannyjavierpena1925]

Soy aguilucho y el liceista pero lo admiro como pelotero y como persona felicidades te lo mereces

[@freddysaez]

He worked heard, Great player, among the beat.❤

[@rigobertobautistaperez3245]

Mí admiracion José Bautista orgullo Familiar

[@dawnetteclarke8223]

Give me bumps so happy for Jose well deserved

[@fiorsanchez7557]

Gracias Jose Bautista por tantos momentos tan inolvidables te mereces eso y más era partes de la historia de mlb y blues yes

[@markryan9132]

Congratulations! Well deserved!

[@liamsutton2570]

honestly Jose is my childhood i`m so happy for him and i wish him a good life

[@JuniorDelossantos-ml5ee]

Es increíble para mí ese equipo es k están pasando los guerreros del béisbol americano